Arts Thread

The Midnight Zone is my latest collection of wearable art as part of my final year project at the Royal School of Needlework hand embroidery degree. I have drawn inspiration from the deep sea, specifically the Midnight Zone or the Bathypelagic layer which lays at 1,000-4,000 meters below the surface. For this collection I have been heavily concept led, with the determination of materials and processes being finalised through sampling and drawing the creatures of the deep. My aim for this collection was to produce a highly detailed piece of wearable art which radiates beauty but invokes a sense of danger and intimidation in the viewer; I would like people to react how I did while researching and drawing these breath-taking creatures: with awe and a hint of unease toward their alien-like nature. Thalassophobia is the centre piece of The Midnight Zone. This piece of wearable art collates gold work and raised work embroidery, with elements of tambour used throughout. With the decadence of goldwork and tambour techniques and the structure raised work embroidery provides, this adornment investigates the beauty, fear and unknown of the deep-sea in a way science cannot, through artistic, contemporary hand embroidery. Wearable art statement jewellery piece displayed over a sheer layered slip dress. Thalassophobia is the fear of deep water. This piece was selected as one of the twenty-four finalists for the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery 2024. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb May 2024

'The Sunlight Zone' is a collection of small pieces of wearable art based off my graduate project 'The Midnight Zone'. I began designing and making smaller, more traditional pieces of wearble art; jewellery. Taking elements from 'Thalassophobia' I developed a wrap around bangle formed of a tentacle and statement barnacle stud earrings. It has begun with earrings and bangles, but the possibilities are endless with this ongoing exploration. © Fleur Webb July 2024

An investigation of Witchcraft influenced by my happy place: Boscastle, Cornwall. My muse for this collection was Joan Wytte, an 18th century suspected witch from Bodmin, Cornwall. I also took inspiration from my home county, The New Forest in Hampshire, focusing on the Stag Beetle (or “Devil’s Imps” as they’re called in The New Forest) and their association with Witchcraft. The techniques I used were crewel work, gold work, elements of Blackwork and raised work to create a sculptural effect, to achieve the illusion of the beetles crawling over the body. Pystri is the Cornish word for magic. Following on from this project, I was commissioned to design and make a Stag Beetle brooch for a client. This smaller and subtle piece is perhaps a more wearable item for everyday and yet it still makes a statement. Pystri was awarded 2nd place in the 3D Textiles category for the Mr X Stitch Student Needlework Competition 2024. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb August 2023

Arsenic on the Rocks explores the dark and tragic world of the Arsenic poisoning scandal of the Victorian period. Focusing on the brightly coloured arsenic laced wallpapers, to then developing this concept further by looking at copper Arsenate. I used the oxidisation of copper to create my own materials using chemical reactions and heat to distort and change their colours and properties. The final outcome of this was a coat cuff sample and design using mixed media textile processes and hand embroidery techniques. This project was awarded 3rd place in the Combined Textile Processes category, for the Bradford Textile Society Design Competition 2024. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb July 2023

M’Lady’s Garden is the final piece of my A-Level in Textile Design. It has become a staple in my portfolio due to the textures and colours it provides, and the skills it’s led me to develop. I constructed this piece using plush work, hand beading and crewel work, incorporating copper plumbing washers nestled in clusters of seed beads, pearl beads and French knots. Inspiration was taken from the beauty and power of Mother Nature, specifically succulents. I was also influenced by the female form, building on my belief that nature is a woman. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb June 2020

Fields of EveryWhen was a collaborative project with artists Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, the Royal School of Needlework and other artisans. My response to the story "Losing Children on Festival Day" using hand embroidery and textile techniques, was printed onto a hot air balloon along with a number of other stories from the residents of Thamesmead, and flown over the area in the summer of 2022. This was a truly beautiful project to be a part of, and I hold it a a highlight in my collaborative experiences. "Losing Children on Festival Day" was a tale of twin girls getting lost on Thamesmead's annual festival day. I wanted to capture the obliviousness the girls had for the panic and worry they were causing their mother by wondering off, instead replacing this with the magic and joy of the event. I represented this through bright colours and fun textures, alongside the fairy wings (one wing each symbolising their closeness as twins). On a personal note, my mum is an identical twin so this was a deeply personal response for me as well. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb August 2022

Advanced gold work technical frame including initial and design development samples for a ritual head piece, inspired by witchcraft. This frame allowed me to experiment with materials unconventional to this traditional embroidery technical, such as plumbing washers, twisted jewellery wire, pins and picture hooks. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. Gold work: © Fleur Webb April 2022 Advanced gold work: © Fleur Webb January 2023

My tambour technical frame samples and final piece exploring this couture hand embroidery technique. A continuous chain stitch used in attaching beads and sequins in a quick, efficient and professional manner onto sheer organdie fabric. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb March 2023

Raised work technical skill exploration inspired by succulents and botanica. Looking at the techniques needle lace, detached shapes, wrapped beads and wire and padded shapes. My final piece consists of a central motif incorporating the techniques mentioned above on a green tie dyed cotton calico fabric. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb April 2022

Canvas work stitch samples and final design for a luggage tag as part of the project Flora. Exploring a wide range of canvas work and counted thread stitches using cotton perle, cotton abroder, stranded cotton, crewel wools and metallic threads, on antique canvas 18 TPI. All photographs are taken by me unless stated otherwise. © Fleur Webb February 2022